Do you need to say ...!
1) "really?" in a corporate vocabulary?
2) "honestly" ..... close your eyes and imagine someone in front of you and other leaders hearing someone says..Honestly..i think this..
Now question yourself... 1) Why do u need to use the word "honestly" when you have the so-called bulletproof facts and tests?
Here, In my opinion..he/they wanted something - approval. He thought that it was a way to make a hard point, but we all questioned whether he was lying to us at all other times.
I smirked (on face or crunching my heart in a while) whenever I heard they said it and alarm bells went off in my head. Beginning a request with “honestly” didn’t inspire anyone around u to give you whatever you wanted in a better or faster fashion; it just made others suspicious of you.
Why?
To be credible, you should be straightforward every time. And when you are, no qualifier like “honestly” is needed. Authenticity is the only honesty you need.
I believe that “honestly” is the most damaging word in business for three reasons:
Using the term “honestly” at best undermines and at worst destroys your credibility. Some people will react like I did to the sales VP and question your overall transparency – or your level of honesty in other situations. Using that term calls one’s integrity into question.
Window to your frustration
Employing a term like “honestly” is like a “tell” in poker: it grabs attention, sometimes when you least want it and often after someone has disagreed with you.
Don’t let your words be a window to your frustration! Whatever frustration you have is best communicated with direct words – and yes, communicated honestly. Use your clarity of thought and tone to share your point-of-view. Don't let threatening words like "honestly" to try to make a case for you.
Creates distance
Prefacing a statement with “honestly” creates distance. It pushes people back, making it harder for them to get close and to see your point. This approach harms your own relationship-building, let alone any argument that you are poised to make. Words matter a lot, and your integrity matters more; don’t compromise it by creating the chasm of a bad impression. To draw people in, be earnest in your interactions every time.
Kudos to you if you have learned to avoid using words like "honestly." And if you don't use them, you probably are keenly aware of them when they are spoken.
"Honestly" might even give you a little scare if it is a word that does not cross your lips. But move beyond the initial shiver because there are insights to be learned. Listen closely for why the speaker chose the word. There is emotion/motivation to be gleaned from whatever follows.
For the best self-presentation in the workplace, think about the words you use and how you deliver them. Seek language that is clear and positive and which avoids the risk of drawing your integrity into question. Speaking eloquently, confidently, directly, and in an unqualified manner will reduces misunderstandings and will increase respect for you as well as for the message you are delivering.
Honestly, how do you feel when you hear the word? You are thinking and smiling, aren't you?
Location:Copenhagen Denmark
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